Right to Choose ADHD & Autism Assessments in the UK (2026 Guide)

Quick Summary: Right to Choose (RTC)

Right to Choose allows patients in England to select an NHS-funded provider for ADHD or autism assessments.
You must be referred by your GP and choose a provider that has an NHS contract.
RTC can significantly reduce waiting times compared to local NHS services.
It applies in England only and may not be available in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

Compare ADHD and autism assessment providers across the UK, including providers that may accept NHS Right to Choose referrals.

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Intro

Identify a provider that accepts NHS RTC referrals.

Right to Choose (RTC) is an NHS pathway that allows patients in England to choose their assessment provider for certain services, including ADHD and autism assessments.

For many families, this route is used to access earlier assessments when local NHS waiting lists are long.

This guide explains how Right to Choose works in practice, who is eligible, and how to access it.

Update: Right to Choose assessment capacity in 2026–27

Updated July 2026. Some NHS-funded autism and ADHD assessment providers are operating under Indicative Activity Plans agreed with Integrated Care Boards for the 2026–27 financial year.

These plans can limit the number of assessments a provider is funded to complete. As a result, a provider may continue accepting referrals but delay or pause routine appointments once its funded activity is limited.

Psicon has informed affected patients in Kent and Medway that routine NHS Right to Choose autism and ADHD referrals currently on its waiting list are being placed on hold. Patients have been told that their place in the queue will be protected, but routine assessment activity is not expected to resume before April 2027 under the current arrangements.

This does not mean that Right to Choose has been abolished or that every provider and area is affected in the same way. Capacity, waiting times and prioritisation arrangements can differ between Integrated Care Boards and providers.

What is Right to Choose?

Right to Choose is part of NHS patient choice policy in England. It allows patients to request referral to a provider of their choice, provided that provider has an NHS contract for the service required.

This means you are not limited to your local NHS service and can choose an alternative provider where appropriate.

Does Right to Choose apply to ADHD and autism diagnostic assessments?

Right to Choose may apply where a person in England is referred by their GP for a relevant NHS-funded assessment service and the chosen provider has an appropriate NHS contract. In practice, families and adults often look at Right to Choose for ADHD assessments, autism assessments or combined neurodevelopmental assessment routes.

Not every provider accepts Right to Choose referrals, and eligibility, referral routes and waiting times can vary. Families should check current NHS guidance, speak with their GP and confirm directly with the provider before relying on a particular route.

Who can use Right to Choose?

You can usually use RTC if:

You are registered with a GP in England
The service is commissioned by the NHS
The provider you choose has an NHS contract

RTC is typically used for:

ADHD assessments
Autism assessments
Some mental health services

Right to Choose autism assessments for children

Some families look at Right to Choose for a child autism assessment where local NHS waiting times are long. The process usually starts with a discussion with the child’s GP, who can advise on referral options and whether a Right to Choose referral may be possible.

Eligibility, provider availability and referral requirements can vary. Families should check current NHS guidance, confirm whether the provider accepts children, and ask what information is needed before requesting a referral.

How to access Right to Choose (step-by-step)

How the Right to Choose process works

Visit your GP and request a referral.
Choose a provider that accepts NHS RTC referrals.
Ask your GP to refer you under Right to Choose.
The GP submits the referral to the provider.

Step 1: Visit your GP

Request a referral for an ADHD or autism assessment.

Step 2: Choose a provider

Choose a provider that accepts NHS Right to Choose referrals.

👉 You can explore providers here:

How do I find Right to Choose providers?

Families and adults often search for Right to Choose providers when local NHS waiting times are long. A provider must have an appropriate NHS contract and must accept Right to Choose referrals for the relevant assessment route. Not every private assessment provider accepts NHS Right to Choose referrals.

Before choosing a provider, check whether they currently accept Right to Choose referrals, whether they assess children, adults or both, what information they need from your GP, and whether they provide ADHD assessments, autism assessments or combined neurodevelopmental assessments.

You can also compare this route with private assessment options and check provider details directly before deciding what is suitable for your situation.

Step 3: Request referral under RTC

Clearly state you wish to use Right to Choose and name your chosen provider.

Step 4: GP submits referral

The GP sends your referral to the provider.

Waiting times: local NHS vs RTC

In many areas, local NHS waiting times can exceed 1–3 years.

RTC providers may offer shorter waiting times, although this varies depending on demand and provider capacity.

Can local NHS funding affect Right to Choose waiting times?

Yes. Right to Choose may allow an eligible patient to select an appropriate NHS-contracted provider, but it does not guarantee that the provider will have unlimited funded capacity or that an appointment will be available within a particular timeframe.

Integrated Care Boards and providers may agree activity plans covering the number of NHS-funded assessments or appointments that can be delivered during a financial year. Where demand is higher than the funded activity, providers may extend waiting times, prioritise patients according to clinical need or temporarily pause routine appointments.

The position may vary according to:

the patient’s Integrated Care Board area;
the selected provider;
whether the referral is for ADHD, autism or a combined assessment;
whether the service is for a child or an adult;
the provider’s current funded capacity and waiting list;
any clinical-priority criteria being applied.

Before asking a GP to send a referral, check the provider’s current referral status, estimated waiting time and whether any local commissioning restrictions apply.

Key point

Right to Choose can provide access to an alternative NHS provider, but it does not guarantee a fast assessment or a fixed waiting time. Check the provider’s current capacity, local restrictions and whether it is accepting referrals for your age group and assessment type.

What should I do if my referral is placed on hold?

If a provider tells you that your assessment has been delayed or placed on hold:

Keep the email or letter confirming the status of your referral.
Ask the provider to confirm that the referral remains active and that your place in the queue is protected.
Ask when the arrangement is expected to be reviewed.
Check whether you need to update any forms, questionnaires or contact details while waiting.
Tell the provider and your GP if there is a significant change in symptoms, risk, daily functioning or clinical need.
Ask your GP whether another clinically appropriate Right to Choose provider is currently available.
Check whether moving provider would require a new referral or mean starting again on another waiting list.

For children and young people

A school should not wait for an autism or ADHD diagnosis before responding to identified special educational needs. Parents can continue asking for SEN Support, reasonable adjustments and a graduated response while an NHS assessment is pending.

Choosing a provider

A provider’s published average waiting time may not reflect restrictions affecting your particular ICB area, so check whether the estimate applies to referrals funded by your local NHS commissioner.

When selecting a provider, consider:

Whether they accept RTC referrals
Clinical qualifications and regulatory registration
Assessment process and follow-up support
Whether they provide full diagnostic reports
If the provider is operating under an activity limit or temporary pause
Whether changing provider would require a new referral or restart the waiting process

Where available, check whether providers are registered with recognised UK regulators such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC), or relevant professional bodies.

Quick decision guide

If waiting times locally are long, consider Right to Choose
If you need faster access and can self-fund, consider private assessment
If unsure, review both pathways before deciding

Important limitations

RTC applies only in England
Not all providers accept RTC referrals
Some GPs may not be familiar with RTC, so you may need to reference NHS guidance
RTC covers assessment, but follow-up pathways may vary

RTC vs private assessments

Right to Choose	Private Assessment
NHS-funded	Self-funded
Requires GP referral	Direct booking
Potentially faster than local NHS	Usually fastest
Limited provider list	Wider choice

Common Questions

Can my GP refuse Right to Choose?

GPs should follow NHS patient choice guidance, but awareness varies.

Does RTC apply to children and adults?

Yes, depending on the provider and service.

Is RTC faster than private?

Usually not faster than private, but often faster than local NHS.

Do all ADHD providers accept Right to Choose?

No. Only providers with NHS contracts for the relevant service can accept RTC referrals.

Can I choose any provider in England?

You can choose any provider that has an NHS contract and accepts referrals for your required service.

Can I switch provider after referral?

In some cases, you may be able to request a change, but this depends on referral status and local NHS processes.

Can a Right to Choose referral be placed on hold?

Yes. A provider may delay or pause routine appointments where the NHS-funded activity agreed with an Integrated Care Board is lower than current demand. This does not necessarily mean the referral has been cancelled. Ask the provider to confirm whether the referral remains active, whether your queue position is protected and when the position will be reviewed.

Does Right to Choose guarantee a particular waiting time?

No. Right to Choose concerns the choice of an eligible provider. It does not guarantee that the provider has immediate capacity or that an assessment will take place within a fixed period.

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